DESSERTS

APPLE SLICES WITH SWEETENED CURDS OR COTTAGE CHEESE (SERVES 4)

Method

Core out the centers of the apples and then cut into round slices. Boil the apples with very little water and the jaggery or sugar syrup, until soft. Allow the apples to cool. Arrange apple slices on a plate and pour the sweetened curds or cottage cheese on top.

CARROT HALWA (SERVES 3 – 4)

• 2 cups carrot, grated
• cups low fat milk
• 6 tablespoons low fat milk powder
• Jaggery syrup or sugar powder
• Cardamom powder

Method: Combine carrots and the milk and pressure cook (2 whistles). Heat vessel ad the cooked carrots, low fat milk powder, Jaggery syrup or sugar and cardamom powder. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes stirring continuously.

TOFFEE BANANAS (SERVES 4)

Vitamin B3, B5, B6, C, biotin, magnesium, manganese, potassium, fibre, folate, iodine, iron, selenium, zinc, protein

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bananas
• ½ cup sugar – unrefined
• 1 tablespoon powdered nuts (almonds and cashew nuts)
• 1 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon caramelized sugar

Method:  Peel and slice the bananas horizontally. Warm sugar in a saucepan until it melts. Pour the sugar syrup on the bananas. Add the powdered nuts, toasted sesame seeds and caramelized sugar. Serve.

BANANA-NUT SPREAD (SERVES 2)

Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, E, biotin, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, manganese, fibre

INGREDIENTS

• 1 banana – peeled and mashed with a fork
• 1-teaspoon raisins
• 1-teaspoon dates – chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts and cashew nuts)

Method:  Mix the ingredients. Serving suggestion: Serve on wholegrain crackers.

CINNAMON PEARS (SERVES 4)

The pear is as nutritious as it is delicious! High in vitamin C, folate, potassium, iron and fibre the pear is served on a bed of low-fat cottage cheese giving you the added benefit of protein, Vitamin B12, calcium and phosphorous.

INGREDIENTS

• 2-cups sweetened low-fat cottage cheese (Add powdered unrefined sugar to the cottage cheese and sweeten according to taste)
• 1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 4 stewed pears

FOR THE STEWED PEARS

Mix sugar, lemon juice and 3- teacups water.
Add the pears and cook until soft. Cool.

Method

Slice the cottage cheese and drizzle some honey on it.
Top it with a stewed pear; sprinkle some cinnamon powder.

PEACH SUNDAE (SERVES 4)

Here’s a secret recipe to a peaches-and-cream complexion! Go ahead and savour.

Peaches assist in elimination, improve digestion and build immunity levels.
Add the goodness of yogurt to cool and nourish your system.

INGREDIENTS

3 Peaches (peeled and sliced length-wise)

PEACH YOGURT

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large peach – remove skin and puree
• 3 cups yogurt (whipped)
• 8 tablespoons powdered sugar (unrefined)
• Mix and blend the above

Method: Arrange the sliced peaches in a tall sundae glass; generously pour in the peach yogurt.

BANANA-NUT SPREAD (SERVES 2)

Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, E, biotin, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, manganese, fibre

PREPARATION TIME: 5 MINUTES

Ingredients

• 1 banana – peeled and mashed with a fork
• 1-teaspoon raisins
• 1-teaspoon dates – chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts and cashew nuts)

Method: Mix the ingredients. Serving suggestion: Serve on wholegrain crackers.

BANANA SMOOTHIE (SERVES 2)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 small bananas – chopped
• 1 cup skimmed milk
• ¼  glass water
• 1 tablespoon powdered almonds
• 2 teaspoons honey

Method: Put the bananas, milk, water and powdered almonds in a blender. Add the honey and whizz again until smooth and frothy. Serve.

CHIKKI

Makes 10 pieces
Preparation time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup puffed rice, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds (roasted on a low flame)
• 1/3-cup jaggery

Method: Heat the jaggery on a low flame until it melts. Add the roasted puffed rice, sesame and sunflower seeds and mix well. Pour this mixture on a smooth stone surface. Roll into a sheet using a rolling pin. Cut into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

FRESH FRUITS WITH HONEY YOGURT DRESSING (SERVES 2)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large bowl cut fresh fruits (banana, figs, oranges, pears, apples, grapes, strawberry)
• ¼ cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds)
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 1-tablespoon raisins (soak for 10 minutes)

YOGURT-HONEY DRESSING

Method

Mix the fruits, nuts, seeds and raisins. Add the honey-yogurt dressing.

COTTAGE CHEESE SPREAD (SERVES 4)

INGREDIENTS

Method

Mix the ingredients. Serving suggestion: Spread on whole grain bread, crackers or use as a dip.

CARROT CAKE (SERVES 2)

INGREDIENTS

Method

Warm the ingredients in a pan until the mixture thickens. Bake in a baking dish for 5 to 7 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

WARM APLE AND BERRY CRUMBLE (SERVES 4)

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cooking apples, peeled, cored and sliced and steamed
• 1 pear, peeled, cored and sliced and steamed
• 1-cup berries (cranberries, gooseberries, strawberries, black berries)
• ½ cup unrefined powdered sugar

CRUMBLE TOPPING

Method

Pre-heat oven. Wash, cut and coarsely puree the berries and simmer in a saucepan. Add the apples, pears and sugar. Pour the mixture in a baking dish and spread the crumble topping on it. Bake for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

FRUIT FONDUE (SERVES 4)

An irresistible, colourful, simply-must-try dessert ! This comprises of an assortment of fresh fruits that contain essential vitamins, minerals and fibre. The honey, yogurt and almonds help in building immunity and boosting energy levels.

MAKES: 8 SKEWERS

INGREDIENTS

• 2½ cups fresh fruits (strawberries, bananas, cherries, grapes, plums, pineapples)
• 1-cup thick yogurt (hung)
• ½  -cup honey
• ½ cup coarsely ground almonds (roasted)

Method Arrange the fruits on skewers (put contrasting coloured fruits next to each other so that the skewers look appealing). Mix the yogurt, honey and the almonds.

Pour the sweetened yogurt dip into separate glasses and insert one fruit skewer into each glass.